![]() Indeed, early detection can help with treatment, recovery, and prolonging your dog’s quality of life.Ĭancer is unfortunately often incurable in dogs. Your pet has the greatest chance of survival from cancer if the illness is detected while still in an early stage. These include type and stage of cancer, the exact chemotherapy/treatment protocol chosen, and other health factors,” explains Dr. “Many factors influence a dog’s chances of survival after a cancer diagnosis. How Does Chemotherapy Affect Dog’s Survival Chances? Lastly, some dogs may experience lethargy due to the treatments. If your dog experiences any clinical signs that seem out of the ordinary, these should be discussed with your pet’s veterinarian. Decreased white and red blood cell counts may lead to a greater risk of infection. That being said, dogs may experience some mild, moderate, or severe appetite loss, vomiting, or diarrhea. ![]() For example, most breeds typically do not lose their hair like people do. Because dogs usually receive lower doses of the treatment and often have fewer additional drugs being administered, they may experience milder reactions to taking to chemo. Some common side effects of chemo on humans, like nausea, vomiting, and low energy levels, are well known. ![]() Others may receive sporadic treatment or end treatment altogether if their cancer clears up or goes into remission. Some dogs may stay on chemo for the remainder of their lives. There’s also not a single answer to the question of cost, as this may vary by type of cancer and stage as well. “It’s very individualized based on the type of cancer, the stage, and the treatment that’s recommended,” says Dr. In some cases, your pet may have to stay at a hospital for treatment. Chemo may be administered via an injection at a veterinary appointment, according to OnCoLink, a cancer website produced by oncology health professionals. Drugs may also be given orally as a pill your dog can swallow. How is Chemotherapy Given to Dogs?Ĭhemotherapy may be offered alone or along with other interventions, such as surgery or radiation. Chemo is meant to either kill the cells or stop them from dividing. The cells are targeted whether they’re cancerous or not. With the goal of clearing up cancer or preventing it from spreading, chemotherapy treatment works by attacking growing cells. What Is Chemotherapy?Īs with humans, chemotherapy for dogs is a series of drug treatments offered to help eliminate or slow the growth of cancer. What options are there for dogs with cancer? Is chemotherapy one of them? What’s involved? To answer these and other frequently asked questions about dog chemotherapy, or chemo for short, we spoke with Diane Brown, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of CHF. The shock of a cancer diagnosis for your pet can bring with it a lot of questions. For older pets, it’s the leading cause of death, with as many as half dying from cancer. Unfortunately, for many dogs, the disease can be fatal. Cancer affects each dog differently, so canine chemo plans are often individualized.Ĭancer is a common canine concern, affecting an estimated 25% of all dogs and 30% over the age of 7 years, according to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF).Dogs often receive lower doses of chemo than humans, though some side effects are still experienced.As in humans with cancer, chemotherapy is used as a treatment for cancer in dogs.
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